Coconut Oil for Skin: The Benefits of Coconut Oil

Is coconut oil good for skin? Coconut oil is highly moisturising and rich in saturated fats and essential amino acids, that can benefit skin. Read on to discover more about the benefits and uses of coconut oil.

Coconut Oil for Skin

What is Coconut Oil?

Coconut oil is an oil extracted from the meat or kernel of coconuts, at room temperature it is solid but can easily soften or melt when heated up. It has a particularly high saturated fat content and a few coconut oil uses include: cooking, cosmetic and industrial (biodiesel).

Coconut Oil for Skin

Coconut Oil in Skincare

Coconut oil is both popular as an ingredient in skincare products and to apply raw. When used raw it can be heavy on skin but still has many benefits and is highly nourishing. Coconut oil is majoritively made up of saturated fats that have a multitude of benefits for our skins defensive barrier function. The fats and essential amino acids in coconut oil help the barrier of our skin to remain strong, moisturised and looking great!

Is Coconut Oil Good for Skin?

Benefits of Coconut Oil for Skin: Is Coconut Oil Good for Skin?

The hype around the benefits of coconut oil for skin is well deserved. It is rich an acids that are antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and antimicrobial.

Is Coconut Oil Good for Skin?

The benefits of coconut oil for skin include:

Defending Skin from Damaging Microorganisms
The fatty acids that coconut oil contains, namely lauric and capric acid, are fantastic at keeping skin healthy due to their antimicrobial properties that mean they kill harmful microorganisms that can grow on our skin. Common skin infections such as acne, folliculitis and cellulitis are caused by fungi and bacteria which the lauric and capric acid in coconut oil help to kill.
Coconut Oil for Dry Skin is Highly Moisturising
Coconut oil has been found to be a highly effective moisturiser for dry and cracked skin. Coconut oil helps to hydrate skin and reinforce its natural defensive barrier to better retain moisture which means coconut oil for dry skin is fantastic.
Coconut Oil Can Help to Treat Acne
The anti-inflammatory properties that coconut oil has means it has the ability to help treat acne, which is an inflammatory condition. Not only this but both lauric and capric acid which are present in coconut oil have been shown to be capable of killing acne causing bacteria.
Coconut Oil Can Support Healing
Studies have proven that coconut oil has the ability to boost the level of antioxidants and collagen in our body, which both play an important role in the natural regeneration and repair process of our skin.
Coconut Oil Can Help to Reduce Inflammation
Another benefit of coconut oil for skin is that it can help to reduce inflammation through improving antioxidant status. Antioxidants help to fight free radicals (unstable atoms that attach to our skin) that can be inflammatory.
Coconut Oil Contributes to a More Even Skin Tone
Coconut oil for skin has been known to help reduce dark spots, soothe facial redness and help to fix an uneven skin tone.
Coconut Oil Can Help to Reduce Signs of Ageing Skin
As one of the benefits of coconut oil for skin is that it helps to increase the natural production of collagen, this helps to improve skin elasticity for firmer skin. Improved skin elasticity also means fine lines and wrinkles are less likely to appear.
Coconut Oil Can Help to Soften Skin
Several of the fatty acids that coconut oil contains, such as capric acid, are excellent emollients that help to soften skin.

Is Coconut Oil Good for Skin?

Benefits of Coconut Oil for Skin: The Composition of Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is wholly composed of different fats and is mostly rich in medium chain saturated fatty acids.

Is Coconut Oil Good for Skin?

Coconut Oil is Composed of:

Caprylic Acid
This fatty acid makes up approximately 8% of coconut oil and has strong anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal properties which make it an effective treatment for numerous skin conditions.
Capric Acid
Is an excellent emollient and can help to moisturise skin, capric acid makes up approximately 7% of coconut oil.
Lauric Acid
Lauric acid makes up roughly 49% of coconut oil and has been linked to being the main reason for all of coconut oils benefits. Some research suggests that this acid can help with weight loss, reduce the likelihood of Alzheimer's and more.
Myristic Acid
Most commonly myristic acid is used as a cleansing agent in cosmetics and makes up approximately 8% of coconut oil.
Palmitic Acid
Making up approximately 8% of coconut oil, palmitic acid is most often used as an emollient to soften skin or as a moisturiser in skincare.
Stearic Acid
This acid is commonly used in skincare products as an emulsifier but also is used in hair care products for its ability to protect and condition hair. Stearic acid makes up approximately 2% of coconut oil.
Oleic Acid
Oleic acid makes up roughly 6% of coconut oil and is used in many skincare products that target dry and aging skin as it is easily absorbed by the skin and is highly moisturizing.
Linoleic Acid
Linoleic acid comprises of about 2% of coconut oil and is amazing at strengthening the skin barrier so it can better retain moisture and keep harmful irritants out.

Coconut Oil for Skin

Where Does Coconut Oil Come From?

Coconut oil is extracted from the kernel of coconuts by either a wet or dry process. The dry process of producing coconut oil for skin involves extracting the meat before drying it off and pressing or dissolving the copra to get the oil. The wet process involves using extracted coconut milk and separating the emulsion of water and oil. The dry process of extracting coconut oil is usually preferred as it generates a higher yield and is cheaper.

Approximately 70% of the world's coconut oil is produced by the Philippines and Indonesia.

Coconut Oil for Skin

Coconut Oil for Dry Skin

One of the coconut oil benefits is that it has been proven to significantly increase skin hydration just as effectively as other mineral oils and keep it hydrated for longer. Coconut oil for dry skin can be used as a deep treatment to nourish dry and cracked skin, replenishing lost moisture and strengthening the skin barrier to retain it.

Coconut oil has also been found to help treat eczema and reduce its symptoms of dry, scaly and itchy skin that is prone to rashes.

Coconut Oil for Skin

Popular Coconut Oil Uses

Coconut Oil for Skin

Coconut Oil for Face

Coconut oil for face is popular as it is highly moisturising and can also reduce inflammation, counteract free radical damage and prevent infection. Not only this but coconut oil for face can boost the production of collagen which helps to firm skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Coconut Oil for Skin

Coconut oil can be used all over your body, not just for your face! A few popular coconut oil uses for the body include: as a natural shaving cream, to treat dry hands and soften cuticles, in place of body lotion to soften & hydrate skin or as a body massage oil. Coconut oil for dry skin is particularly hydrating.

Coconut Oil for Skin

Coconut Oil for Hair

Plenty of conditioners contain coconut oil for its wonderful benefits it can give our hair. A few things coconut oil can do for hair are: deeply condition & prevent protein loss, tame frizz, reduce dandruff and add a beautiful shine.

Coconut Oil for Skin

Coconut Oil for Cooking

Cooking with coconut oil in place of other oils has become increasingly trendy in recent years due to its supposed health benefits and delicious taste. However there is still controversy surrounding whether or not it is healthy to cook with due to its high saturated fat content that can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Most people agree that moderation is the best rule to follow when cooking with coconut oil.

Coconut Oil for Skin

DIY Coconut Oil for Face

Using unrefined, raw or virgin coconut oil for face overnight can work wonders for your skin and is a popular occasional deep treatment.

Coconut Oil for Skin

DIY Coconut Oil for Face Steps:

Scoop approximately 1 tablespoon of coconut oil into your palm and melt it by softly squeezing it between your palms
Gently massage the melted coconut oil onto your face and neck area
Once you have an even coverage, dab away any excess residue from the surface of your skin using an absorbent tissue
Leave the rest of the coconut oil on your skin to slowly sink into your face and neck overnight

You don't have to limit coconut oil just to your face either, you can use this method to apply it to the skin all over your body for deep nourishment. Most people who use coconut oil like to do this sparingly once a week as it can be heavy on the skin and clog pores - especially if you already have oily skin.

Coconut Oil for Skin

NIVEA & Coconut Oil

Convinced of the benefits of coconut oil for skin? So are we. Here are a some of the NIVEA products we love that harness the power of coconut oil for skin but are less heavy than using it raw:

nivea caring shower cream coconut and jojoba oil

Coconut Oil for Skin

Caring Shower Cream Coconut & Jojoba Oil

NIVEA Caring Shower Cream Coconut & Jojoba Oil beautifully blends coconut oil with natural Jojoba Oil to pamper your skin. For everyday indulgent shower moments that leave skin feeling soft and smooth as well as clean and lightly coconut scented.

Coconut Oil for Skin

NIVEA Coconut Lip Butter

Fancy having super soft and moisturised lips? Try NIVEA Coconut Lip Butter that contains natural oils and keeps lips moisturised for up to 24 h with a delightful coconut aroma.

nivea oil in lotion coconut and monoi oil

Coconut Oil for Skin

NIVEA Oil in Lotion Coconut & Monoi Oil

NIVEA Oil in Lotion Coconut & Monoi Oil contains coconut oil and allows you to experience indulgent care for your skin. The lotion is fast absorbing and hydrates skin for 24h+, leaving it feeling irresistibly smooth and beautifully radiant. With the tropical scent of coconut to further awaken your senses.

Coconut Oil for Skin

BODY SOUFFLÉ COCONUT & MONOI OIL

For true indulgence why not try NIVEA Body Souffle Coconut & Monoi Oil? This light and nourishing body cream ensures you have velvety soft and smooth skin every day with a delicate scent of coconut.